Suzuki recently announced it was delaying its return to MotoGP until 2015 instead of the expected 2014, claiming it needed more time to develop its new 1000cc prototype.

And in a shocking coincidence, it just so happens that seven-time World Champion Valentino Rossi is out of contract with Yamaha after 2014. And Suzuki test team manager Davide Brivio - team manager during Rossi's first stint at Yamaha - made no secret about Suzuki's interest in Rossi as a factory rider starting in 2015.

Brivio, who at one time was simultaneously the manager of the Yamaha MotoGP team and Yamaha rider Rossi's manager remains as Rossi's business manager today.

"We have to look at the best possible option, and Valentino is one of those, so why not?" Brivio said. "We have to try with everybody.

"We have seen and I am proud to say that when we were in Yamaha we got Valentino there, and that changed the history of Yamaha. We showed clearly how important the rider is, and that has become obvious for the last 10 years. If we have good riders, we can show our potential."

Brivio didn't seem to mention Rossi's two failed seasons at Ducati where after the entire team and motorcycle being developed around him he was so unable to find his way with it that he adopted Nicky Hayden's set up.

Of course, Rossi rode a previously moribund Yamaha to the World Championship in his first season with the Crossed Tuning Forks. And he won at Assen last weekend.

But this is a much older Rossi, who will be 36 at the start of the 2015 season. Still, the marketing and PR value of landing Rossi would be immense. Plus even if his speed has faded, The Doctor can help develop a conventional Japanese bike, proven by his tenures at Honda and Yamaha.